Following the Super Falcons’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Copper Queens of Zambia in their Group C clash at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday night, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU assesses the performances of the players.
Chiamaka Nnadozie 7/0
The Brighton goalkeeper bounced back impressively from her disappointing display in Nigeria’s defeat to Malawi, producing a composed and assured performance between the sticks.
Michelle Alozie 7/10
The dependable right-back delivered another solid display, keeping Zambia’s Rachael Kundananji largely quiet in the fiercely contested encounter. She was named Woman of the Match.
Osinachi Ohale 7/10
The veteran defender showcased her wealth of experience, particularly after the Super Falcons were reduced to 10 players. Ohale produced a composed and commanding display, proving she still has the quality to compete at the highest level despite her age.
Tosin Demehin 3/10
Demehin was shown a straight red card late in the first half after bringing down Barbara Banda. It has been a difficult tournament for the centre-back, who has struggled to hit her best form in Super Falcons’ opening two matches.
Rofiat Imuran 4/10
Failed to make much impact on her maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nations appearance. She was replaced by Shukurat Oladipo five minutes after the break.
Deborah Abiodun 7/10
Abiodun made her first start of the tournament, and delivered an impressive performance. The defensive midfielder provided excellent protection for the backline, breaking up play effectively, and bringing composure to Super Falcons’ midfield.
Christy Ucheibe 7/10
Her versatility proved invaluable as the Super Falcons navigated a difficult contest. Following Oluwatosin Demehin’s dismissal, Ucheibe seamlessly dropped into central defence and delivered a composed, disciplined performance to help Nigeria see out the victory.
Read Also:WAFCON 2026: Oshoala’s Lone Strike Helps Resolute Super Falcons Edge Out Zambia
Jennifer Echegini 7/10
She showcased her quality in midfield, playing a key role in helping the Super Falcons gain the upper hand in the battle at the centre of the pitch. Her driving runs, intelligent positioning, and composed display were crucial to Nigeria’s performance.
Rasheedat Ajibade 7/10
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade produced a superb assist for Asisat Oshoala’s match-winning goal. She also led by example with a tireless display, working relentlessly throughout the contest.
Uchenna Kanu 7/10
She impressed on her first start of the tournament, delivering a disciplined and energetic performance. After putting in a solid shift, she was replaced by Esther Okoronkwo with nine minutes remaining.
Asisat Oshoala 7/10
Asisat Oshoala scored the decisive goal that earned the Super Falcons all three points. The striker also turned in an impressive all-round performance, leading the line effectively and making a valuable contribution.
Substitutes
Shukurat Oladipo 6/10
The AS Roma defender replaced Rofiat Imuran five minutes into the second half, and made a positive impact. Oladipo defended resolutely, helping the Super Falcons preserve their slender lead.
Chiwendu Ihezuo 3/10
She replaced Asisat Oshoala in the 68th minute, but had limited impact in the attacking third.
Halimat Ayinde 4/10
Ayinde came on for Deborah Abiodun and played her part in helping the Super Falcons see out the game, adding fresh energy as Nigeria held on for a hard-fought victory.
Esther Okoronkwo 3/10
She came on for the final nine minutes and showed flashes of her quality, making a lively cameo and providing fresh impetus whenever she was on the ball.
5 Comments
I think Demehin deserves a higher score.
She did what needed to be done against Banda. She took one for the team.
And Banda was also looking to dive anytime she felt contact. The red card was perhaps the right decision, but Banda herself should have received a yellow for simulation at some point.
A 6 looks a better score for Demehin, in my opinion.
I don’t think any of the courageous and resilient Nigerian ladies on display for the Super Falcons against the Zambians last night deserved less than a 6/10 rating, not even Tosin Demehim, harshly red-carded in 1st half of the encounter deserve the 3/10 rating by CS. It is clear that the defending champions, with their back on the wall after the shock Malawi defeat of last Tuesday, came very prepared, well trained and organised for the game against a more dangerous, energetic and experienced Zambian side than the Malawians.
We can all now see that lack of adequate preparation and over-cockiness in underrating the debutants cost Nigerian Falcons against Malawi ladies last Tuesday!
Against an even pacier and more experienced Zambian Copper Queens tonight, the SF of Nigeria beat them 1-0 despite playing with 10 ladies for almost an hour (60mins) out of the 90minutes regulation time.
An unprepared SF like the one against Malawi, would have capitulated under the intense pressure, with one woman advantage, from the Zambian women.
Super Falcon showed why they are African women champions with the organisation and resilience to defend and cut off the man-like Banda led Zambian Copper Queens.
Congratulations to our Super Falcons, and to Justin Maduga for a job well done in beating again a so-called elite European Coach-led Zambians two times in the space of one year. And better good luck against Egypt next week in the final group match.
Zestful and Zappy Super Falcons Zoom Past Zambia Zealously
What a match! What a team! What an outcome!
playing with 1 woman down for the better part of 1 hour, the irrepressible Super Falcons dug deep to dig out a heartwarming 1:0 victory against the obdurate but ultimately frustrated Copper Queens of Zambia, effectively reigniting our hopes of reaching the summit at this tournament.
And what better way to do it than to turn to our only cultural and historical icon who rolled back the years, rolled her sleeves to roll the ball into the net via a ricochet in just 8 minutes for 1:0.
Madugu’s early-game strategy and thinking behind starting Oshoala from the start was evident: launch long balls from midfield for the ex-Barcelona Queen to latch on to and punish Zambia. Time after time, Ajibade and Echegini (who had an excellently solid and spectacular game) launched those long balls with impunity to Oshoala who simply breezed past the Zambian players, almost scoring earlier when her first touch let her down – she was the proverbial thorn on the tissues of the Zambians.
Madugu played an unmistakable 4-2-1-3 formation with Abiodun and Ucheibe the defensive midfield pivot behind Echegini with the trio of Kanu, Oshoala and Ajibade in front and it worked a treat.
In the first 30 minutes, Nigeria’s long ball strategy caused Zambia no end of problems, ultimately leading to the early goal. Imuran looked shaky at time in left back with a few misplaced passes but her recovery was commendable as she would always regain composure.
Nnadozie pinched a tricky ball away as her defenders stood firm, tall and focused with help coming from the defensive midfield.
Oshoala, Kanu, Echegini, and Ajibade often demonstrated a spark of great chemistry, exchanging insightful passes that held promise and created opportunities. Kanu, especially, was as cool as cucumber in possession, retaining the ball, using it judiciously and, at times, later on, injecting flair in displacing a number of Zambians with silky movements that helped Nigeria dictate tempo.
After 30 minutes, The Falcons were as firm as formica in defence, maybe too firm as Demehin’s manhandling of Banda earned her her marching orders, leaving Nigeria short. Demehin did what she had to do, for me, and I felt she was hard done by.
Despite this setback, The Falcons remained neat and tidy in possession as they marshalled the midfield with authority and intent, quickly closing down the Zambians and not giving them time to do damage. Ajibade too would earn a yellow card whilst Oshoala ran the channels well with high pressing that kept Zambian defenders on their toes.
I recall an excellent sliding tackle inside the 18 yard box from Ohale who, it must be said, also had an excellent outing with marking, interceptions and positioning that oozed maturity and cool-headedness.
Oladipo was introduced and she initially showed jitters with 1 misplaced pass but she soon got her head together, playing it straight, firm and forthright.
The Super Falcons, despite playing with a 1 woman deficit, were tight and incredibly compact. The overload the Zambians with bodies to retrieve possession; the rotation across the pitch was effective with the likes of Oshoala, Ajibade, Ohale and Echegini operating effectively outside their immediate positions; shadow markings were effective; transition from defence to attack was robust and, in all, they imposed their will on Zambia with curtailment that meant Demehin’s red card wasn’t fully exploited.
In the last 30 minutes, Oladipo continued to be firm, cutting off passing lanes, retrieving the ball and recycling possession. Ihezuo would latch on to another long ball from deep, round the keeper only to make a mess of the finish.
Echegini was unplayable: running with the ball before being fouled in midfield. Oladipo overlapped with intent, delivering a delightful cross. Ohale’s emphatic headed clearance did not escape me even as Oladipo and Ajibade combined severally to cause problems. Nnadozie looked dialled in all night whilst Alozie was a picture of perfection, poise and panache in her movements, contact with the ball, interactions and shadow-marking.
Honourable mention to Abiodun and Ucheibe whose steely resolve and stellar applications on and off the ball curtailed Zambia’s ambitions.
All in all it was great. Zambia failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage, thanks to a monumental application of focus, concentration, will power and determination from the entire Super Falcons architecture. The architectural design from Madugu was executed to perfection on the day the Super Falcons reminded the world why, despite playing with a woman short, they remain undisputed title contenders in this tournament.
Well said as you always do, @Deo. Perfect and apt description/analysis of the events of last night, of the indisputable women’s African football Champions, the 10 stars Super Falcons of Nigeria
Well said as you always do, @Deo. Perfect and apt description/analysis of the events of last night, of the indisputable women’s African football Champions, the 10 stars Super Falcons of Nigeria